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Students and community members urge support for alternative schools, raise ESSA opt‑out concerns
Summary
Public forum speakers at the Nov. 19 APS board meeting included student testimonials praising alternative and small schools, a request to digitize a historic Del Norte band recording, and concerns from a Marine Corps recruiter and a community member about the district's student‑information opt‑out process under ESSA.
At the Nov. 19 Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education meeting, 11 public forum speakers shared personal stories, program endorsements and regulatory concerns.
Students from alternative and small‑campus schools repeatedly credited specialized programs and staff support for helping them recover credits and stay on track to graduate. Camila Ramirez, who identified herself as a student and teen parent, told the board La Academia de Esperanza provided the scheduling, childcare support and classes she needed to raise her grades to straight A's. Gavin Pennington of Health Leadership High School and students from Archer Academy and Technology Leadership High School described similar counseling, internship and life‑skills supports that they said helped them persist and graduate.
Several speakers also raised separate regulatory concerns. Captain Meredith DeLong, the executive officer for the U.S. Marine Corps recruiting station, told the board she believes APS's online registration opt‑out checkbox for sharing student contact information does not meet Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requirements, which she said require a written parent opt‑out. She provided district staff with supporting documentation and asked to work with APS to align the registration process with federal rules. Earlier in public comment Dr. Sunello (self‑described as an alternative health doctor and minister) cited a court decision named in the transcript as "Mahmud v. Taylor," urging the board to ensure parents can opt out of materials that conflict with religious beliefs.
Janet Sayers, a community member, asked about digitizing a Del Norte High School 1965 concert band vinyl recording and referenced the district's planned audio‑visual purchases. Edgar Briggs, a longtime APS educator/retiree, urged the board to reopen community access to school facilities and reconsider fees charged to community groups.
The board acknowledged public forum speakers and said staff would follow up where appropriate. Captain DeLong's written materials were turned over to the district for staff review and possible procedural changes.
Ending: Public forum concluded and the board moved into mandated monitoring and agenda items.
